§397.1.  Compensation of expert witnesses and recovery of testing costs

A.  The costs of the blood or tissue tests conducted by the expert witness appointed by the court shall be fixed at a reasonable amount.  The costs shall be advanced by the party who requested that such tests be conducted.  If the court orders the blood or tissue tests on its own motion, the petitioner shall advance the costs of the tests.  In either case, the court shall tax the costs to the party against whom judgment is rendered.  The compensation of each expert witness appointed by the court and called by a party shall be fixed at a reasonable amount.  It shall be paid by the party against whom judgment is rendered, which shall be taxed as costs of court.

B.  If the state, a political subdivision of the state, or the petitioner pays the initial costs of testing under this Part in a paternity action, the state, political subdivision, or petitioner may recover those costs from an individual only if he is found to be the father of the child in the action. If an income assignment order is issued, the reimbursement for the costs shall be ordered through the income assignment order.  If an income assignment order has not been issued, the court shall determine the manner in which the reimbursement for the costs shall be made.

Acts 1988, No. 425, §1; Acts 1992, No. 406, §1; Acts 1992, No. 407, §1; Acts 2008, No. 444, §1.